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‘Crash for Cash' Demolition Derby at Charleston Auto Auction Raises $17k for National Kidney Foundation

MONCKS CORNER, SC - Beginning August 28th and running through October 9th, Charleston Auto Auction held its "Dealer Stimulus Promotion," which culminated in the first ever "Crash for Cash Dealer Demolition Derby" on October 8th.

by Staff
October 23, 2009
3 min to read


MONCKS CORNER, SC - When Charleston Auto Auction and the National Kidney Foundation of South Carolina team up for a promotion, good things are bound to happen. Beginning August 28th and running through October 9th, Charleston Auto Auction held its "Dealer Stimulus Promotion," which culminated in the first ever "Crash for Cash Dealer Demolition Derby" on October 8th. The whole event was sponsored by the National Kidney Foundation of South Carolina, and included two special "absolute sales" featuring NKF donated vehicles.

"The only words to describe this event are that it was literally a 'smashing success!' exclaimed Chris Wise, National Remarketing Manager for Charleston Auto Auction. "When everything was said and done, and the smoke had cleared, we raised almost $17,000 for the National Kidney Foundation of South Carolina!"

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Wise explained that the donations came from proceeds of NKF-donated vehicles, as well as from cash donations and collections taken during the demolition derby.

"The dealers and participants in the demolition derby were very generous in their support of the National Kidney Foundation," said Wise. "Even our auctioneers and ringmen entered a car in the derby…won…then donated their winning prize money back to the NKF. It was a special gesture on their part, one that the auction and our customers appreciated."

Wise noted that many of the vehicles crashed during the derby were also sold for scrap, and that money was donated to NKF as well.

The "Crash for Cash Dealer Demolition Derby" attracted over 1000 spectators, who watched 16 demolition derby entrants compete for over $5,000 in cash prizes. Dealers were encouraged to bring their families and co-workers, and everyone was treated to an outstanding BBQ dinner with all the fixin's and plenty of cold beverages to boot. The exhibit included many vendors and sponsors of Charleston Auto Auction who displayed their goods and services in the "Midway" section of the event. There was also a booth that allowed everyone some "STRESS RELIEF" by smashing a car with a sledge hammer for $1/hit. All monies went to the Kidney Foundation.

Two auction events were also held in conjunction with this promotion. Thursday October 8th marked a special evening frontline ready sale featuring late model, ready for retail units. The following day, Friday October 9th, featured Charleston's first-ever Dealer Stimulus Sale. Both days featured over 1300 vehicles, 600+ dealers and $50,000 in Cash & Prizes. Prizes were given away to "stimulate" both dealers' and wholesalers' bottom-lines, including $15,000 in cash, billboard advertising, radio advertising, newspaper advertising, PC's, Laptops, netbooks and Black Book subscriptions.

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"With so many dealers telling me that the demolition derby was the coolest thing they have ever seen, and with the Dealer Stimulus Sale being a huge success, you can be sure next years event will be even bigger and better," stated Keith Lelux, owner/managing partner of Charleston Auto Auction. "We're proud to be affiliated with the National Kidney Foundation of South Carolina and the outstanding work they do throughout the state."

Charleston Auto Auction is a member of the ServNet Auction Group. It holds a sale every Friday at 10 am, with a damaged and disabled sale on the 2nd and last Friday of every month at 9:00 am. For more information about Charleston Auction, and to view a video of the event, go to

Topics:Operations

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